Architect Antonio J. “Tony” Verde was 80 when he died on July 25.
Born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Verde immigrated to the United States in 1962.
He lived in New Jersey, Puerto Rico and Hialeah before building a home in Lake Elizabeth in Miami Lakes in 1988.
“He loved Miami Lakes, the hometown feel,” said one of Verde’s sons, Frank Verde.
Tony Verde and his wife Margarita, 78, exercised daily in Picnic Park West and were regulars at the movie theater on Main Street and at Casavana
Cuban Cuisine restaurant.
Verde earned a bachelor’s degree in 1970 from Columbia University and ran a firm in South Florida, AJ Verde Architects, PA.
His work on commercial properties included Winn-Dixie Supermarkets and skyscrapers in Puerto Rico, his son said.
Verde was a member of the American Institute of Architects, Miami chapter, and was a parishioner at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church.
Verde is also survived by his daughter Maria Verde Garcia, son Tony Verde and seven grandchildren.
“He was a great dad and a great grandfather,” Frank Verde said.
Donations may be made in Verde’s name to Parkinson.org.
Photo courtesy of the Verde family.